Queen Sapyeong

Queen Sapyeong 사평왕후
Crown Princess of Goryeo
Tenure	3rd month 1174 – 12th month 1174 (lunar calendar)
Coronation	1174
Predecessor	Crown Princess Wang
Successor	Crown Princess Yu
Born	1158 Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Goryeo
Died	fl.1174 Goryeo
Spouse	Crown Prince Wang Suk ​ ​ (m. 1174⁠–⁠1174)​
Issue	Princess Suryeong
Posthumous name Sapyeong (사평, 思平; "Thoughtful and Peaceful")
House	Jeonju Yi clan
Father	Yi Ui-bang
Mother	Lady Jo
Religion	Buddhism

Queen Sapyeong of the Jeonju Yi clan (Korean: 사평왕후 이씨; Hanja: 思平王后 李氏; 1158 – ?) was the first and primary wife of King Gangjong of Goryeo when he was still a crown prince who just reigned for 9 months. Descended from Yi Yong-bu, she would become the first cousin fifth removed to Yi Seonggye and only royal wife in Korean history who was born and came from the Jeonju Yi clan.

Biography

Early life

The future Queen Sapyeong was born into the Jeonju Yi clan as the only daughter of Yi Ŭi-bang,[1] son of Yi Yong-bu and Lady Cho in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.

Marriage and later life

In 1174, she married Crown Prince Wang Suk as his primary and first wife since her father had a big influence in the court. However, after 5 months reign, her father was assassinated in the coup led by Chŏng Kyun (정균),[2] son of Chŏng Chung-bu (정중부),[3] which she later expelled from her position and out the palace according to the opinion that,

"You cannot have the rebel's daughter as a spouse and companion for you."
"반역자의 딸을 동궁의 배필로 둘 수 없다."

After her husband's ascension to the throne, she then received her title back and posthumously honoured as a Queen Consort. The couple had a daughter who later married Wang Ch'un, Duke Hawon (왕춘 하원공).[4][5]

After that, her whereabouts has not appeared in both of Goryeosa or Goryeosajeolyo.

Family

• Father: Yi Ŭi-bang (1121 – 12 January 1174)
  • Grandfather: Yi Yong-bu (이용부; 李勇夫; 1102 – ?)
  • Grandmother: Lady Yi of the Gyeongwon Yi clan (인천 이씨; 1102 – ?); youngest daughter of Yi Ho (이호, 李顥; 1040-?)
• Mother: Lady Cho (조씨; 曺氏) (1134 – ?); Yi Ŭi-bang's second wife
• Husband: Crown Prince Wang Suk (10 May 1152 – 26 October 1213); son of King Myeongjong and Queen Uijeong.
  • Daughter: Princess Suryeong (1178 – ?)

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Park Eun-bin in the 2003–2004 KBS TV series Age of Warriors.

References

1. "고려시대 史料 Database". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.
2. "고려시대 史料 Database". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.
3. "고려시대 史料 Database". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.
4. "고려시대 史料 Database". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.
5. "고려시대 史料 Database". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2021.

External links

• Queen Sapyeong on the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean).